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ISLAND Roads has taken over responsibility for the emptying and maintenance of dog bins as well as clearing dog mess from Isle of Wight streets, as part of the PFI contract that began on April 1.

However, the dog warden, responsible for issuing fixed penalty notices to dog owners who allow their animals to illegally foul, remains under the control of the Isle of Wight Council.

News of Island Roads taking over the task of clearing up dog mess was discussed at a meeting of Cowes Town Council. Members called for tougher action to clamp down on dog owners who allow their animals to foul footpaths and parks.

Dog mess was said to be a 'huge problem’ in the town but an idea to put up signs warning people not to allow their dogs to foul was put questioned by Cllr Lynn Hammond.

She told members: "You could put up a sign in every street. Dog owners know it is against the law. It needs a foot soldier on the ground getting these people and fining them. I could walk round with a sign on my face and they would still let their dogs do it."

Cllr Paul Fuller said there was only one dog warden for the whole of the Isle of Wight.

He said: "Surely there is a need for the Isle of Wight Council to do much more enforcement."

Members agreed to write to Island Roads, expressing their concern about the amount of dog mess in the town.

After the meeting, Island Roads confirmed it had taken over the responsibility for clearing up dog mess on April 1.

The Isle of Wight Council said that it had issued four fines to dog owners between March 2012 and March 2013.

A spokesman said that in addition to the dog warden, there were eight council officers with powers to hand out fines and people were encouraged to report incidents of fouling.